Harnessing Research to Combat Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Highlights of Some NICHD Research for STD Awareness Month

Millions of people around the world are affected by STDs and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Although some of these infections have few or minor symptoms, others can cause infertility and cancer, or—in the case of untreated HIV infection—death.

NICHD researchers aim to learn about these diseases, find the best ways to prevent their transmission or acquisition, slow their progression, and help treat people who are infected.

The NICHD research portfolio includes a range of projects related to STDs and STIs and their effects on the health of women, children, and youth—from preventing these conditions using effective health interventions to understanding their epidemiology and improving screening and education.

During STD Awareness Month, the Institute highlights some of its ongoing work related to STDs and STIs. Select a link below to learn more.

HIV/AIDS: From Molecules to Communities

According to the World Health Organization and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, 34 million people around the world have HIV. To help fight this disease, the NICHD supports and conducts research to study small- and large-scale aspects of HIV.

Other basic and clinical research on the molecular aspects of HIV infection overlaps with Institute’s focus on contraception research. The NICHD’s Contraceptive Discovery and Development Branch (CDDB) supports research on how hormones and hormonal contraception influence the prevention and transmission of HIV. The Branch has supported one of the largest observational studies of hormonal contraception and HIV acquisition and progression. Visit http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/?term=HC-HIV%20study for a list of scientific articles related to or resulting from this study.

ATN researchers joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to initiate the Strategic Multisite Initiative for the Identification, Linkage and Engagement in Care of Youth with Undiagnosed HIV Infection (SMILE in CARING for YOUTH). In this collaboration, CDC-supported clinics, hospitals, and health departments across the country provide HIV testing and counseling to youth, while ATN’s clinical sites connect HIV-positive youth with treatment. By incorporating research into care, SMILE in CARING for YOUTH is helping to identify the best ways to bring HIV prevention and care to the young people, a population that is often hard to reach and that has unique needs.

Another ongoing ATN prevention effort is related to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), anti-HIV drugs that may prevent infection in high-risk, HIV-negative people. In Project PrEPare, which focuses on young men, ATN scientists are examining whether a PrEP drug approved for adults can help young people, too. Project PrEPare is studying the drug at 14 sites around the country among young men who have sex with men, a group that is at particularly high risk of infection.

Diverse Diseases, Diverse Approaches

HIV is only one of many STDs and STIs that affect people’s health. Current estimates suggest that more than 110 million people in the United States are affected by at least one of several STIs (see infographic, below). The NICHD research portfolio includes studies of STDs and STIs in addition to HIV and incorporates a number of diverse approaches to understand these diverse diseases.

For example, the Prevention of HIV/AIDS and other STIs program within the CDDB supports the development of dual-protection technologies—contraceptives that simultaneously protect individuals from both disease and unintended pregnancy. This includes work on microbicidal spermicides and a new female condom.

The STDs and HIV/AIDS program of the PDB addresses population-level factors and behavioral aspects of STD prevention and transmission, including abstinence and condom use. Latex condoms, when used correctly and consistently, are known to help prevent the spread of some STDs and STIs. According to findings from the National Survey of Family Growth, 93.4% of sexually active females in the United States, age 15 to 44, had male partners use a condom. (The survey is led by the CDC and partially funded through the PDB.) Understanding the factors that affect condom use is an important part of preventing the transmission of STDs and STIs as well as unintended pregnancies.

STDs and STIs can have far-reaching effects on health and quality of life of millions of people around the world. Through its research, the NICHD aims to make preventing and treating these diseases a reality, particularly for women, teens, and young adults.